Razor blade holder



P 12, 1939- J. J. NOREAU, JR 2,172,680

RAZOR BLADE HOLDER Filed June 28, 1938 Ja/l/v J. IVOREAU JR.

' INVENTOR ATTO R N EYS Patented Sept. 12, 1939 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to improvements in tool handles and more particularly to a new and improved handle for holding razor blades, particularly razor blades of the so-called Gem type, having one cutting edge and a back edge covered with a folded metallic strip.

It is among the more important objects of the present invention to provide a razor blade holder adapted to provide a supporting handle for single edge razor blades of the Gem-type whereby the blade can be held in the handle in a manner presenting the cutting edge for use in scraping, paring, cutting or similar operations for which razor blades are useful.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a razor blade holder comprising a resilient bent shape adapted to engage with portions of Gem-type razor blades whereby engagement and disengagement of the holder with the blade can be effected by simple operations without involving tightening or loosening of threaded members, movement of clamping levers or the like.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide a novel razor blade handle for razor blades of the Gem-type, which is suited to hold the blade in position for use and, upon occasion, hold the blade in a manner whereby the cutting edge thereof is guarded from accidental use thereby minimizing likelihood of accidental cutting of clothing or person while the device is carried in the pocket.

An important advantage of the new and improved razor blade holder according to the present invention is that it comprises a single unitary structure having no detachable or disengageable parts, whereby possibility of accidental disengagement and loss of one of the parts of the device is precluded. This feature is of importance in industrial use inasmuch as frequently parts of 40 the holder are lost whereby the device becomes useless for the purpose intended.

A noteworthy feature of the razor blade holder according to the present invention is its simplicity which well suits it to the requirements of mass production with resultant economy of manufacture and low cost to the user.

Other objects, advantages and features of the device according to the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art during the course of the following description.

Regarded in certain of its broader aspects, the present invention comprises a holder for razor blades consisting of a handle portion comprising a resilient U-shaped member, gripping elements on distal end portions of said U-shaped member adapted to receive and engage with back edge portions of a razor blade positioned transversely relative to said handle, and means tending to cause said gripping elements to approach each other whereby said gripping elements are engaged and maintained in engagement with notched edge portions of the razor blade.

In order to facilitate a fuller and more complete understanding of the present invention, a

. specific embodiment thereof will be hereafter described, it being clearly understood, however, that the illustrated embodiment is given solely by way of example and is non-limitative upon the scope of the present invention, except as expressed in the subjoined claim.

Referring then to the drawing:

Figure 1 is substantially a perspective view of the type of razor blade with which the holder according to the present invention is to be used, and

Figure 2 is substantially a perspective view of the novel razor blade holder according to the present invention showing a razor blade, in phantom, positioned between the arms thereof.

The razor blade holder in Figure 1 comprises a sheet of metal l0, having a cutting edge II and a back portion generally designated by the numeral I2, provided with a bent-over protective guard member l3, substantially co-extensive with the back edge of the blade. Notches l4 and are formed in side edges of the blade in spaced relationship relative to the cutting edge H substantially as shown.

Referring now particularly to Figure 2, it will be noted that the handle, generally designated by the numeral 20, comprises a bent U-shaped member 2| having sides flared at an intermediate portion thereof as designated by the numeral 22 and presenting extending essentially parallel arms 23 and 24. In the preferred embodiment of the instant invention, a U-shaped member 2i is formed of relatively resilient material, such as for example, #8 spring steel wire, or the like and the shape is relatively elongated, that is to say, the breadth of the U-shaped handle is materially less than the length thereof.

The arms 23 and 24 of the U-shaped member 21 are bent inwardly toward each other as designated by the numerals 25 and 26 near the distal ends thereof and the end portions of the arms are flattened and bent back upon each other to form gripping elements 21 and 28. Each of the gripping elements is substantially U-shaped in outline and has one of the arms thereof joined to and formed integrally with one arm of the device is in use.

U-shaped handle 2|. Slots 29 and 30 formed in the connecting cross portions of the U-shaped gripping elements 21 and 28 respectively, face each other and are adapted to engage with notches l4 and 15 formed in the side edge portions of the razor blade with which the device is to be used. It is to be noted that the guard strip l3 positioned on the back edge portion of the razor blade H3, is receivable between the arms of the U-shaped gripping elements 2! and 28 substantially as shown in Figure 2 when the slots 29 and 30 formed in said gripping elements are engaged with notches l and I4 respectively of the razor blade l0.

In use, the razor blade is engaged with the handle by spreading the arms 23 and 24 thereof and positioning the blade with the edge portion thereof between the arms of the gripping elements whereby resilient qualities of the U-shaped member presses the slotted parts of the gripping elements into engagement with the notches in the side edges of the blade, thereby retaining same in fixed position transversely extending across said handle as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2 illustrates, in phantom, a position assumed by the spread arms of said handle.

When the device is not in use and it is desired to carry same in the pocket, the arms of the handle are spread and the blade removed from engagement therewith. The blade is then reversed in position whereby the guard [3 on the back edge of the blade is positioned where the cutting edge of the blade is positioned when the It will be noted that when in this position, the cutting edge of the blade will be disposed adjacent but behind the bent formations 25 and 26 near the end portions of the arms of the U-shaped member 2 I, whereby accidental cutting of the pockets or person of the carrier will be at least largely precluded.

It is to be understood that this improvement is capable of extended application and is not confined to the exact showing of the drawing nor to the precise construction described and, therefore, such changes and modifications may be made therein as do not affect the spirit of the invention nor exceed the scope thereof as expressed in the appended claim.

What is claimed as new is:

A holder for razor blades having notched side edges which consists of a handle portion comprising a. relatively elongate U-shaped member formed of relatively resilient material presenting a pair of essentially parallel arms, U- shaped gripping elements comprising flattened, bent-back distal end portions thereof adapted to receive and engage with the back edge of the razor blade when positioned between the arms and disposed transversely relative to said handle portion, the arms of said U-shaped member, when a razor blade is held in said gripping elements, tending to approach each other due to the resilient qualities of said member whereby the gripping elements are engaged and maintained in engagement with said notched side edges of the razor blade.

JOHN J. NOREAU, JR. 

